Well it turns out we didn't get a Welsh MasterChef, but buoyant Dale and optimistic Larkin take us through their best and worst bits

So we didn't get a Welsh winner on BBC MasterChef after all, despite the odds looking good, and having a 66% make-up of Welshies in the final, it just wasn't to be. East London girl and part time DJ Natalie Coleman was crowned MasterChef 2013.

But that won't stop Dale Williams or Larkin Cen, who will both be featured in a MasterChef recipe book, and this is where Larkin thinks he can excel:

“I think this is where my strength lies, in creating interesting dishes,” he said.

Williams said: “I’ve been trying out different things at home and seeing if it would work for the book.”

Defeat has not left either of the Welsh competitors disheartened, we spoke to a very optimistic Larkin Cen, and a buoyant Dale Williams about their best and worst bits of MasterChef 2013.

Larkin Cen's best bit:

“For me, the feedback-wise, it was the one when I did the paella. But for me personally, my favourite, favourite one was when I cooked a Chinese-inspired dish which has run in the family for years.

“All it needed was a little push to make it something really excellent. Cooking that brought back a lot of fond memories for me.”

Larkin Cen's worst bit:

“Definitely that whole mango souffle fiasco. Before the actual show, I’d never even cooked a dessert in my life.

“Then there was that other time I dropped the souffle.

“Now, I never want to see a souffle ever again.”

Dale Williams' best bit:

“I think my favourite part was cooking for the 12 critics.

“We got to do three really different courses and I felt like I really showed what I was capable of.

“It was all really fast paced, but it was still really cool and a lot of fun.”

Dale Williams' worst bit:

“I think most people would expect me to say the part with Marcus Wearing, but actually I learnt a huge amount from his criticisms.

“I think the worst part in reality was the mass-catering. I don’t think I’m suited to cooking for 200-odd people at once."

We also chose Dale and Larkin's five best dishes from MasterChef 2013, here they are in the gallery below:

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